If Joe Colborne can continue to turn stated goals into reality the way he has since the Bruins drafted him in the first round in 2008, the center will have a lengthy NHL career.

Colborne was one of the brightest stars of this summer’s development camp and should be in contention for a job with the big club when everyone reports in the fall.

The idea behind playing NCAA hockey at Denver rather than joining a major junior team lured Colborne because he’d have more time during the lighter game schedule to workout and get bigger. He has done that in a big way and the 20-year-old reported to his third development camp at 6-foot-5, 206 pounds. It’s safe to say, the Bruins are now witnessing their second “Jumbo Joe” era.

Obviously, Colborne still has growing to do. After an impressive, adrenaline-filled pro debut with Providence (AHL) last spring, he finished his six-game stint with just two assists and posted a minus-8 rating. His hands and instincts offensively are solid. He’ll need to improve his physical game, however, to compete as a pro and grab a hold of a regular NHL job. Defensively, he’ll need to get wiser and backcheck harder.

A season of playing wing last season for the Pioneers might help Colborne’s position this season, as Boston is loaded at center but might be willing to keep another rookie as a top-nine winger. The competition will be fierce this fall. Colborne knows that, and he has stated he intends to give it all he has to break camp with Boston. So far he’s done a great job turning words into actions and accomplishments, so it would difficult to start doubting him now. Expect to see Colborne in Boston at some point in 2010-11, even if he starts out down on the farm.

David,
Yes I have seen both of them play but it is what scouts have written and say to me in person. I was at two of Colborne’s games last year versus one of Denver’s biggest rivals North Dakota and asked the scout straight up “which of the two will make it up two the Bruins first and who will be more consistent during the early part of there pro careers ?” without hesitation he said Caron because he has more edge and nastiness to his game at this point plus he’s harder to knock off the puck I agree.

If there were some way you could get a hold of the first round games of the QMJHL playoffs this past spring you could see what I mean. Caron played against Maxime Sauve’s team and they both stood out and were leading the league in playoff points after the first round.

If you get a chance to go to Ristuccia for pre season camp you’ll see what I mean but really it’s for you to decide. You might think Knight or Sauve are better.

Mark,
Sorry I believe you are right, i assumed he was not on this list because he is the well known top prospect. But Matt has said nowhere that he will not be included on this list.

SanDogBrewin,
Have you seen the prospects firsthand? I am working off second hand information and was hoping you could provide some personal testimony about the prospects. Also curious as to why you say Caron is ahead in development.

Interesting that Colborne is number 3. I might expect him to be a rank higher, but that leaves Maxime Sauve, Marchand and Knight as the most likely candidates for the remaining two spots since all indication from what I have heard is that the defensemen in our system are a ways off (Cross and Wasorfsky for example) or depth types that have already made the NHL ready list.

Matt,
What do you think outside of greater physicality do you think Colborne needs to make the jump?